Rescuers have brought in relief supplies, including food, water, medicine and blankets.

Hundreds of aftershocks, measuring up to magnitude 4.9 have continued to hit the region, and the weather agency has issued warnings to prepare for heavy downpours in the next several days, raising concerns about mudslides.

The mountainous region of Longtoushan was the hardest-hit, with homes flattened and transportation disrupted.